Vermont § 95 - Executive Order No. 3-95 (No. 02-22) [Solidarity with the Ukrainian People]

§ 95. Executive Order No. 3-95 (No. 02-22) [Solidarity with the Ukrainian People]

• WHEREAS, on February 24, 2022, the Russian President Vladimir Putin launched an unprovoked,
  unjustified assault on the peaceful sovereign nation of Ukraine and its people; and WHEREAS, I join leaders across the nation and around the world in condemning these
  attacks and express my support for Ukraine and its people, its democracy and its right
  to self-determination; and WHEREAS, I know there is little Vermont, 4,500 miles away from Kyiv, can do or say
  to impact the horror that has been unleashed against the people of Ukraine by the
  regime in Moscow, but we must be ready to assist, provide humanitarian aid and stand
  firmly and resolutely with our Allies against this brazen attempt to weaken democracy
  everywhere; and WHEREAS, Vermont stands ready to welcome and accept any Ukrainians who need refuge
  while their nation fights for its freedom; and WHEREAS, the State cannot permit its purchasing and investment activity to aid Russia
  as it commits atrocities against the Ukrainian people; and WHEREAS, the State Treasurer has taken swift action and directed the review of Russian
  investments and the Vermont Pension Investment Committee is working with investment
  managers as these holdings are liquidated; and WHEREAS, Vermont shall take additional actions described in this Executive Order to,
  among other things, cease the State sale of Russian spirits, cease the State purchase
  of Russian products, rescind the dormant relationship of the State with a Russian
  Republic and ask the Legislature to take swift action to appropriate $1.00 per Vermonter
  to assist with humanitarian aid to Ukraine. NOW, THEREFORE, I, Philip B. Scott, by virtue of the authority vested in me as Governor
  of Vermont by the Constitution of the State of Vermont hereby order as follows: 1. I hereby direct the Commissioner of the Department of Liquor and Lottery (DLL) to: a. Conduct the due diligence necessary to identify Russian-sourced products (produced
  or manufactured in Russia as opposed to being Russian themed but produced elsewhere)
  currently stocked at 802Spirits stores in the State or available by special order
  (identified as Russian Standard, Green Mark, Hammer & Sickle and Beluga). b. Immediately cease the sale of Russian-sourced products and products produced by Russian
  entities (institutions or companies that are headquartered in Russia or have their
  principal place of business in Russia) from the stock in Vermont802 stores. c. Immediately cease the purchase of any Russian-sourced products and products produced
  by Russian entities. d. Immediately cease delivery of Russian-sourced products and products produced by Russian
  entities from the DLL warehouse to Vermont802 stores. 2. I hereby direct the Secretary of the Agency of Administration and the Commissioner
  of the Department of Buildings and General Services (BGS) to review all contracts
  for the purchase of goods and immediately cease purchases and terminate contracts
  for the purchase of Russian-sourced goods and goods produced by Russian entities. 3. I further direct the Secretaries and Commissioners of the Executive Branch to review
  all contracts for the purchase of goods and immediately cease purchases and terminate
  contracts for the purchase of Russian-sourced goods and goods produced by Russian
  entities. 4. I ask the Vermont House of Representatives to immediately, upon its convening on March
  8, 2022, return H. 679, an act relating to fiscal year 2022 budget adjustments, to
  the Committee of Conference, for appropriation of (a) $1.00 per Vermonter, or $643,077,
  and (b) all funds collected by the Department of Liquor and Lottery through sales
  of Russian-sourced vodka from February 24, 2022 through February 28, 2022, for distribution
  as agreed by the Emergency Board for humanitarian efforts needed to support the people
  of Ukraine. 5. I hereby rescind Executive Order 100-91 (codified as Executive Order 09-01), issued
  by Governor Madeline Kunin on January 7, 1991, which authorizes a sister-state relationship
  with the Republic of Karelia in Russia (formerly the Karelian Autonomous Soviet Socialist
  Republic of the Union of Soviet Socialist Republics). And I hereby withdraw Vermont
  from the Joint Statement of Intentions executed by Governor Kunin and Kuzma F. Filatov,
  then Chief of Staff to the Kremlin. This agreement was reached at a time of mutual belief in constructive dialogue and
  openness following the 1985 summit meeting of President Ronald Reagan and General
  Secretary Mikael S. Gorbachev but has been dormant for many years. Russian government
  actions in Ukraine make clear its interest in peace and mutual understanding no longer
  exists. Vermont looks forward to a time when true people-to-people cooperation can be restored.
  Until then the State of Vermont shall not engage in any efforts which confer legitimacy
  upon Russia’s current foreign policy or on a government not freely and democratically
  elected by the people of Karelia. 6. I further ask the Legislature to rescind J.R.H. 129 adopted by the Legislature in
  1990 (R -157. Joint Resolution Relating to Strengthening Ties with the Peoples of
  Karelia Within the Soviet Union). 7. And I call on any Vermont municipality that has entered into a sister-city/town agreement
  with a Russian municipality to suspend or terminate such arrangements, until such
  time as the Russian municipality opposes current Russian policy toward Ukraine and
  has a government freely and democratically elected by the people of the municipality. This Executive Order shall take effect upon signing. Dated March 3, 2022